The Funding Zone
 
SAFR: Safer Through Science
 

Cyclones escape Lewistown with hard fought win. (Highlight video & Interviews

Tagged under: 8-Man League, News

| April 9, 2023

With both teams coming off tight games the previous week it wasn’t easy to predict what would happen between these two contenders. The Tomahawks had a 3OT thriller against the Savages and the Cyclones dominated the second half of a hard fought win in Phillipsburg. Well, it appears they both wanted to do it again. This game was never dull, never disappointing and always close and fun. As Tomahawk QB Lashawn Brown launched the ball to the endzone as time expired both sidelines watched as the ball sailed a little high and was knocked down by the Cyclone defense securing a 42-34 win on a beautiful Saturday afternoon.

Right out of the gate the Cyclones took an 8-0 lead when Zeke Williams busted loose down the Tomahawk sideline on the second play of the game for a 34 yard td romp. Terrell Yung-Tull hauled in the two point pass. Lewistown took the ensuing kick and steamrolled their way to the 7 on the wheels of a freight train named Kyle Kahley, but on a second down run he just barely stepped out of bounds at the five on what appeared to be a 7 yard td run. Two plays later the Cyclones made the stop and took over. As the first quarter came to a close with the visiting team leading by 8, Cyclone quarterback Greg Mecina was looking to break out. But it wasn’t he who made the big play. Scrambling to keep the play alive, Mecina found Matt Tavarez for a short gainer. Tavarez had other plans. The lumbering giant ran to the five where the ‘hawks closed in on him, but instead of going down he spun around and tossed the rock back to Jason Nyhart on what looked like an improvised hook and ladder play. Nyhart scampered into the endzone putting the Cyclones up 14-0 on the first play of the second quarter.

The Tomahawks struck back quick with a 23 yard pass from Brown to RJ Buford then a one yard td run by Jonathan Dodson. Brown hit Timmy Beck for the 2 pointer bringing the score to 14-8 Cyclones with 9:50 left in the half. Medina led the Cyclones back hitting huge target Trei Gilchrist for a 7 yard td strike to give the Cyclones a 22-8 lead. The drive was highlighted by a catch by the new guy, J’Von Collazo, who is straight out of high school playing for the Crimson Tide of Columbia High last year.

For more awesome photos by Antonino Colletti go HERE

Miffco came right back. The Tomahawks went on a 8 play drive that ended with a one yard td run by the freight train named Kahley to make it a 22-14 lead for the Cyclones. Like I said, this game was never dull. Then it was time for the new guy to shine. The leagues premier quarterback, Medina, did what he always does, he guided his team to another score. But he had help.  J’Von Collazo, who just signed with the Cyclones this past week, made a spectacular leaping catch that went off the hands of a Tomahawk defender.


Medina then hit Matt Wise for a 10 yard score and a 28-14 lead and that’s where we stood at the break. Both teams traded possessions several times, but it was rare interception thrown by Medina that sparked the home team. Chase Pitts got the pick and 4 plays later Brown hit Buford for a td, what you might call a controversial td, to make it a 28-20 score in favor of the Cyclones with 6:08 left in the third. I am one who will usually be on the side of the refs, but they might want to take a look at this one. DISCLAIMER: all game long we heard cries from the sidelines and players on the field about non calls, missed calls, etc….from my observation this one was the only one I questioned. Sorry Ray and crew.

Anyway, the game stayed exciting. Medina Missed on a pass then scampered 25 yards to put his team up 36-20 at the 5:30 mark of the third quarter. It only took 30 seconds for the Tomahawks to make it a 36-28 game. Brown hit Beck for a 21 yard td and the freight train plowed in from three yards out for the 2 point play. Then on the ensuing Cyclone drive Levi Hockenberry caught Medina from behind and knocked the ball loose and pounced on it at the Cyclone 24. It took a while, but eventually the Tomahawks closed to within 2 points on a brown to Buford pass. They missed on the crucial 2 points keeping the score at 36-34.

The Cyclones seemed to lock it up with a 3 yard td run by Mike Rodriguez making it 42-34, then they forced a fumble when the new guy stood up to the train and drove to the Tomahawk 3. The Cyclones failed to get in the endzone, but the 42 seconds they left just wasn’t enough time for the Tomahawks.

GAME HIGHLIGHTS

Follow PA Football News on Twitter @PaFootballNews

 
 
QwikCut
 
GoRout
 
Rainbow Lettering
 
x